Thai protesters make a three finger 'democracy' salute while singing the national anthem outside parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday afternoon (September 24).

Large crowds had staged protests outside the Parliament House throughout the day and night while criticizing the establishment. Activists placed golden democracy plaque stickers on the ground and on the gate of the building. They also listened to speakers, sang songs and waved their phone lights in the air.

The rallies were over a vote in parliament on a whether to propose to change the constitution. Lawmakers dashed hopes of reform by voting against change.

Dozens of protests have been held in recent months amid anger from activists. Opponents of the ruling military party, which seized power in a coup in 2014 and won elections in 2019, are critical of the army's strong-arm tactics to silence critics and maintain its grip on power.
Wide-ranging complaints include a lack of transparency, low levels of democracy, economic equality, calls to reform the monarchy and issues with the country's reputation for police and political corruption.